# Hazzm Movement

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The **Hazzm Movement** (Arabic: حركة حزم, *Ḥarakat Ḥazzm*, meaning *Movement of Steadfastness*[16]) was an alliance of [Syrian rebel](/source/Syrian_rebel) groups affiliated with the [Free Syrian Army](/source/Free_Syrian_Army) in northwestern Syria that existed from 25 January 2014[17] until 1 March 2015, when many of them dissolved into the [Levant Front](/source/Levant_Front). Some other members joined the [Army of Revolutionaries](/source/Army_of_Revolutionaries).

## History

See also: [al-Nusra Front–SRF/Hazzm Movement conflict](/source/Al-Nusra_Front%E2%80%93SRF/Hazzm_Movement_conflict)

In late 2013 the former [Supreme Military Council](/source/Supreme_Military_Council_(Syria)) chief of staff [Salim Idris](/source/Salim_Idris) planned to form the Hazzm Movement in response him being sacked as the chief of staff.[2] The Hazzm Movement was established on 25 January 2014 when 12 small rebel factions merged. Several of the factions had been part of the [Farouq Brigades](/source/Farouq_Brigades).[18] The groups that became the [Army of Mujahedeen](/source/Army_of_Mujahedeen) were originally going to join the Hazzm Movement.[19] The previous incarnation of the group, called Harakat Zaman Mohamed (*The movement of the time of [Muhammad](/source/Muhammad)*), was supported by the [Muslim Brotherhood of Syria](/source/Muslim_Brotherhood_of_Syria).[19]

The group was supplied with [BGM-71 TOW](/source/BGM-71_TOW) anti-tank missiles[18] in a covert [CIA](/source/Central_Intelligence_Agency) program launched in 2014. Scores of the group's fighters also received U.S. military training in [Qatar](/source/Qatar) under the same program.[20]

In October 2014, the [al-Nusra Front](/source/Al-Nusra_Front) began attacking positions of the Hazzm Movement in the [Idlib Governorate](/source/Idlib_Governorate), overrunning bases and seizing weapon stores, due to its perceived closeness to the United States.[20] Following the loss of men and weapons to Nusra, the Idlib branch of Hazzm stopped receiving funds from the CIA in December 2014, funds to the [Aleppo](/source/Aleppo) branch continued.[21] In January 2015, al-Nusra attacked Hazzm Movement positions in the [Aleppo Governorate](/source/Aleppo_Governorate). The Hazzm Movement reacted by joining the [Levant Front](/source/Levant_Front), a large alliance of prominent Aleppo-based [Islamist](/source/Islamist) rebel groups; the alliance urged al Nusra to resolve its dispute with the Hazzm Movement by negotiating with the Levant Front.[22]

On 3 May 2015, some of the former members of the northern branches of the Hazzm Movement, including the Atarib Martyrs Brigade, and the [Syrian Revolutionaries Front](/source/Syrian_Revolutionaries_Front) along with [Jabhat al-Akrad](/source/Jabhat_al-Akrad), the [Dawn of Freedom Brigades](/source/Dawn_of_Freedom_Brigades) main component group the [Northern Sun Battalion](/source/Northern_Sun_Battalion) (making the [Dawn of Freedom Brigades](/source/Dawn_of_Freedom_Brigades) defunct in the process) and smaller FSA groups formed the [Army of Revolutionaries](/source/Army_of_Revolutionaries).[23][24] Many of the northern members of the [Syrian Revolutionaries Front](/source/Syrian_Revolutionaries_Front) and Hazzm Movement also joined the [Levant Front](/source/Levant_Front).

During the [Turkish military intervention in Syria](/source/Turkish_military_intervention_in_Syria_(August_2016_%E2%80%93_March_2017)) which started in late August 2016, some former members of the Syrian Revolutionaries Front and the Hazzm Movement in exile from Turkey crossed into Syria through [Jarabulus](/source/Jarabulus).[25]

In late December 2016, the Hazzm Movement, the SRF, and the Ansar Brigades in exile reportedly declared their intentions to return to Syria.[26][27]

## Component groups and structure

The Hazzm Movement had a northern division, led by Murshid al-Khalid (Abu Mutasim), and a southern division led by Mohammed al-Dahik (Abu Hatem). The Secretary-General was Bilal Atar (Abu Abd al-Sham).[18] Abdullah Awda (Abu Zeid) was in charge of military operations[16] and Hamza Shamali (Abu Hashem) in charge of political affairs.[18]

The 12 groups that merged on 25 January 2014 to form the Hazzm Movement were:

- Atarib Martyrs Brigade—reportedly the largest faction of the Hazzm Movement before its dissolution, based in [Atarib](/source/Atarib)
- 9th Special Forces Division of Aleppo[19]
- Farouq of the North Battalion
- Ayman of God Brigade
- Abi Harith Battalion - Farouq Hama
- Free Salamiya Battalion - Farouq Hama
- Martyr Abdul Ghaffar Hamish Battalion
- Martyr Abdullahi Bukar Battalion
- Salt of the Right Company
- Abu Assad al-Nimr Battalion[18]

Several other groups joined the Hazzm Movement at a later date.

### 9th Special Forces Division of Aleppo

The 9th Special Forces Division of Aleppo was a Syrian rebel group formerly affiliated with the [Syria Revolutionaries Front](/source/Syria_Revolutionaries_Front)[19] and joined the Hazm Movement in January 2014.[28] It was headed by Murshid al-Khaled (*[nom de guerre](/source/Nom_de_guerre)*: Abu Mutasim).[29]

Furthermore, the group was further composed of several additional subgroups before the merger:[28]

- 1st Infantry Brigade
- 1st Armoured Brigade
- 60th Infantry Brigade
- Rocket Artillery Regiment
- Shahba Shield Brigade
- Ahbab Allah Brigade

## See also

- [Timber Sycamore](/source/Timber_Sycamore)
- [Syrian Train and Equip Program](/source/Syrian_Train_and_Equip_Program)
- [List of armed groups in the Syrian Civil War](/source/List_of_armed_groups_in_the_Syrian_Civil_War)

## References

1. ["Leaders and advocates are demanding the release of the commander of the "movement of packages" from "victory" prisons"](https://www.enabbaladi.net/archives/132653). *[Enab Baladi](/source/Enab_Baladi)*. 21 February 2017.

1. ["The rise and fall of Syria's Hazzm rebel group"](https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2015/3/3/the-rise-and-fall-of-syrias-hazzm-rebel-group). *The New Arab*. 3 March 2015.

1. Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi (1 October 2020). ["Factcheck: Was 'Sayf Abu Bakr' an Islamic State Commander?"](https://www.aymennjawad.org/2020/10/factcheck-was-sayf-abu-bakr-an-islamic-state). Retrieved 3 October 2020.

1. ["Rebels Worth Supporting: Syria's Harakat Hazm"](http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/view/rebels-worth-supporting-syrias-harakat-hazm). Washington Institute for Near East Policy. 28 April 2014. Retrieved 15 May 2014.

1. ["Four Years Later, The Free Syrian Army Has Collapsed"](https://www.ibtimes.com/four-years-later-free-syrian-army-has-collapsed-1847116). 14 March 2015. Retrieved 27 August 2025.

1. ["U.S. Syria strategy falters with collapse of rebel group"](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-hazzm-idUSKBN0M10GV20150305). Reuters. 5 March 2015.

1. ["The new face of the Syrian rebellion"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140326104506/http://the-arab-chronicle.com/new-face-syrian-rebellion/). The Arab Chronicle. 5 March 2014. Archived from [the original](http://the-arab-chronicle.com/new-face-syrian-rebellion/#) on 26 March 2014. Retrieved 15 May 2014.

1. ["The rise and fall of Syria's Hazzm rebel group"](https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2015/3/3/the-rise-and-fall-of-syrias-hazzm-rebel-group). 3 March 2015.

1. ["Western-backed rebels join Aleppo alliance - Syria monitor"](https://web.archive.org/web/20151219193334/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-mideast-crisis-syria-aleppo-idUKKBN0L408E20150131). Reuters. 31 January 2015. Archived from [the original](http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-mideast-crisis-syria-aleppo-idUKKBN0L408E20150131) on December 19, 2015.

1. Lund, Aron (1 December 2014). ["The Revolutionary Command Council: Rebel unity in Syria?"](https://web.archive.org/web/20141204124941/http://carnegieendowment.org/syriaincrisis/?fa=57350). Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Archived from [the original](http://carnegieendowment.org/syriaincrisis/?fa=57350) on December 4, 2014. Retrieved 27 September 2015.

1. ["U.S.-backed Syria rebel group dissolves itself after losses"](https://web.archive.org/web/20181209165425/https://www.jamestownsun.com/news/nation-and-world/3690163-us-backed-syria-rebel-group-dissolves-itself-after-losses). Reuters Media. 1 March 2015. Archived from [the original](http://www.jamestownsun.com/news/nation-and-world/3690163-us-backed-syria-rebel-group-dissolves-itself-after-losses) on 9 December 2018. Retrieved 1 March 2015.

1. ["Syria battle between al Qaeda and Western-backed group spreads"](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria/syria-battle-between-al-qaeda-and-western-backed-group-spreads-idUSKBN0L311Z20150130). *[Reuters](/source/Reuters)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200919222907/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria/syria-battle-between-al-qaeda-and-western-backed-group-spreads-idUSKBN0L311Z20150130) 2020-09-19 at the Wayback Machine.

1. ["Syrian army enters Homs neighbourhoods"](http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/04/syria-army-enters-homs-neighbourhoods-2014415171150902911.html). Al Jazeera English. 15 April 2014. Retrieved 15 May 2014.

1. ["Reinforcements rush to Aleppo as battles rage"](http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2014/Jul-09/263183-reinforcements-rush-to-aleppo-as-battles-rage.ashx#axzz36N8qKwvx). *The Daily Star*. 9 July 2014. Retrieved 9 July 2014.

1. ["Al-Qaeda attacks Syrian rebels in Aleppo"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150209094304/http://aranews.net/2015/01/al-qaeda-attacks-syrian-rebels-aleppo/). ARA News. 31 January 2015. Archived from [the original](http://aranews.net/2015/01/al-qaeda-attacks-syrian-rebels-aleppo/) on February 9, 2015.

1. ["Syrian rebels who received first U.S. missiles of war see shipment as 'an important first step'"](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/syrian-rebels-who-received-first-us-missiles-of-war-see-shipment-as-an-important-first-step/2014/04/27/61ec84d8-0f53-4c9f-bf0a-c3395819c540_story.html). *Washington Post*. 28 April 2014. Retrieved 15 May 2014.

1. Lister, Charles (9 April 2014). ["Syrian insurgents acquire TOW missiles"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140412003818/http://www.janes.com/article/36499/syrian-insurgents-acquire-tow-missiles). *Jane's Defence Weekly*. **51** (20). Archived from [the original](http://www.janes.com/article/36499/syrian-insurgents-acquire-tow-missiles) on 12 April 2014. Retrieved 15 May 2014.

1. Lister, Charles (9 June 2014). ["American anti-tank weapons appear in Syrian rebel hands"](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/charles-lister/american-anti-tank-weapon_b_5119255.html). *Huffington Post*. Updated ed. Retrieved 27 September 2015.

1. ["Harakat Hazm: America's new favorite jihadist group"](http://english.al-akhbar.com/node/19874). Al Akhbar. 25 May 2014. Retrieved 14 September 2014.

1. ["U.S.-backed Syria rebels routed by fighters linked to al-Qaeda"](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/us-backed-syria-rebels-routed-by-fighters-linked-to-al-qaeda/2014/11/02/7a8b1351-8fb7-4f7e-a477-66ec0a0aaf34_story.html). Washington Post. 2 November 2014. Retrieved 9 February 2015.

1. ["Rebels in northern Syria say U.S. has stopped paying them"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150209070350/http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2014/12/09/249556_rebels-in-northern-syria-say-us.html?rh=1). McClatchy Newspapers. 9 December 2014. Archived from [the original](http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2014/12/09/249556_rebels-in-northern-syria-say-us.html?rh=1) on 9 February 2015. Retrieved 9 February 2015. Those cut off include a larger group of Hazm fighters whom Nusra ousted from their bases in the Zawyah mountains in Idlib province in October

1. ["Western-backed rebels join Aleppo alliance - Syria monitor"](https://web.archive.org/web/20151219193334/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-mideast-crisis-syria-aleppo-idUKKBN0L408E20150131). *Reuters*. 31 January 2015. Archived from [the original](http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-mideast-crisis-syria-aleppo-idUKKBN0L408E20150131) on December 19, 2015. Retrieved 9 February 2015.

1. ["#Syria: Seven FSA groups (incl. Jabhat Akrad, Shams Shamal & Homs Revolutionary Union) form "The Revolutionary Army"."](https://twitter.com/archicivilians/status/594842226057814016). *Twitter*

1. ["#SRO - EXCLUSIVE - Former Hazzm and #SRF forces allied with kurds and some #FSA small units to create Jaysh al-Thuwar (in 4 governorates)."](https://twitter.com/Syria_Rebel_Obs/status/594833226851610624). *Twitter*

1. ["Threatens to exit "Arab factions" him: repercussions Turkish intervention shake Syria's alliance forces of democracy east of the Euphrates"](http://www.alquds.co.uk/?p=592205). *Al-Quds al-Arabi*. 3 September 2016.

1. ["Four factions that ended the "open-Sham" intend to return to the Syrian arena"](http://www.enabbaladi.net/archives/119683). *Enab Baladi*. 16 December 2016.

1. ["Syrian Rebellion Obs on Twitter"](https://twitter.com/Syria_Rebel_Obs/status/813135865090371590). *Twitter*. Retrieved 2016-12-26.

1. ["FSA - Ninth Division"](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ctt0EIUW8AA9jNf.jpg:large). *Syrian Rebel Obs*

1. ["The Syria Revolutionaries' Front"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140112130617/http://carnegieendowment.org/syriaincrisis/?fa=53910). *Carnegie Endowment for International Peace*. 13 December 2013. Archived from [the original](http://carnegieendowment.org/syriaincrisis/?fa=53910) on January 12, 2014. Retrieved 4 December 2014.

## External links

- (in Arabic)
- [Hazzm Movement's YouTube Channel](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkW-mUVUAkBx6CptDA183UQ)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Hazzm Movement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hazzm_Movement) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hazzm_Movement?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.